Projecting 2013-2015 ETA’s For Mets Top Prospects

After reading something Jim Callis said in his Prospect Chat on Baseball America yesterday, I was inspired to bring out my crystal ball and predict when we’ll see some of the Mets top prospect’s. But first take a look at this:

Wow, that’s a pretty optimistic view, and one that could certainly be construed as rushing one’s number one prospect. I’m not so sure I agree with Jim on this one. I’m sure we’ll see Zack Wheeler at some point next season, but saying he’ll probably be on the Opening Day roster is kind of pushing it.

Let’s play a little game, and see when you think we’ll see Wheeler make his Major League Debut as well as some of the other top Mets prospects. :

2013

RHP Zack Wheeler – No matter how well he pitches in AAA, I don’t see him joining the Mets before June unless disaster strikes and someone like Dickey, Niese or Harvey get injured.

RHP Jeurys Familia – The second the bullpen starts showing any signs of trouble, you could bet that Familia will get the call. How long he sticks around will depend on the results.

RHP Jenrry Mejia – Depending on how well he performs this Spring, Mejia has a good chance to travel up north with the team to start the season in 2013. He’ll be a long reliever and spot starter.

2B Jordany Valdespin – If he’s not traded, Valdespin will have at least a utility spot nailed down with the Mets in 2013. There’s an outside shot he can win a regular job somewhere in the outfield, but it all depends on what Sandy Alderson does this offseason via trade or free agency.

RHP Collin McHugh – He could be bundled in a trade this offseason, or he could be the Mets number six starter much like our old friend Nelson Figueroa, who kept getting the call when the Mets needed an emergency starter.

2014

IF Wilmer Flores – If the Mets lose David Wright, the timetable for Flores moves up to 2013. If the Mets sign Wright to an extension, the Mets will try to make Flores the best second baseman he can be, and he’ll get plenty of work there next season. I see him as the Mets Opening Day second baseman in 2014.

RHP Luis Mateo – The scouts are all raving about him and we may have caught some lightning in a battle with this Dominican import. At 6-3 and 200 lbs, this 22 year old is a control artist who throws hard and has a power slider. Remember the name.

C Kevin Plawecki – This might be a little ambitious, but I see great things for Plawecki and I believe he will progress through the system very quickly. The Mets need some help quick and even if they bring back Kelly Shoppach, he’s still nothing more than a stopgap.

CF Brandon Nimmo – I’m not sure if he’ll be a center fielder, but I’m quite certain he will come up and make an immediate impact. His high ceiling was why Nimmo was drafted in the first place, and he has shown already some glimpses into what an exciting player he’s going to be.

IF Phillip Evans – He wasn’t particularly spectacular at any one thing, but he was very good in a lot of areas. He’s not a sure thing, but he could become one if he steps up in 2013. The scouts all love him.

2015

RHP Michael Fulmer – Fulmer already has a great arsenal that includes a plus-plus fastball, a plus slider and an improving changeup. He has a closers mentality on the mound and a seriousness about him that is very similar to Matt Harvey‘s.

SS Gavin Cecchini – I’m not sure what the wind-up will be with Ruben Tejada, but as soon as Cecchini is ready, there will be nobody in the Mets organization holding him back from becoming the team’s everyday shortstop for the next ten years.

C Camden Maron – If this kid could add just a little more pop to his bat he’d be perfect. After a .300./.403/.408 season he got my attention. Now lets see if he can keep it.

RHP Rafael Montero – Montero is coming off of a monster campaign in 2012 and quite possibly had the best overall season of all the Mets pitching prospects. The more you try to look away, the more he does to grab and keep you attention and now even Baseball America can’t stop talking about him.

OF Vicente Lupo – Could be that we’ll see this amazing talent in one of the short-season leagues in 2013. He’s someone to keep an eye on after a .345/.500./608 season in the DSL. Tongues back in your moths everybody.

Final Thoughts

You may be wondering where prospects like Reese Havens, Juan Lagares, Matt Den Dekker and even Kirk Nieuwenhuis are on my list. Honestly, they don’t fit my definition of top prospects. Maybe one day one of them will get a chance to eke out some playing time in the majors, maybe not. The point is that neither of them will be difference makers and I wanted to focus on prospects who have a good chance at making an impact at the Major League level.